PGCE Secondary Geography

PGCE

About the course

This Secondary PGCE programme converts geographers into geography teachers. The main aim is to help you become a competent and engaging teacher of geography at a secondary level. Part of this course also extends your studies and experience to cover preparation for post-16 teaching. You’ll spend a third of your course studying at the University with dedicated subject tutors, and the remainder is spent on two teaching practices in two different schools. You’ll benefit from both a professional tutor and a subject-specific, personal mentor to guide you through your teaching practice.

Hull benefits from close partnerships with approximately 90 schools. These schools are largely based in the East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire region, but we also work with schools as far apart as North and West Yorkshire, as well as schools deep into the Lincolnshire countryside. There’s an opportunity to gain experience across a variety of school and academy types: urban or rural, large or small, comprehensive or selective.

What you'll study

You’ll focus on a diverse range of core areas. Each session forges a practical link that will enable you to relate geographical theory to its direct impact on children in the classroom. These areas include

Geography in the National Curriculum and the opportunities that it offers

Developing teaching approaches that will engage pupils of all abilities and backgrounds

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Related courses

Fees and funding

Home/EU: £9,250

The way your course is funded depends on the route you take.

You could access a Get Into Teaching bursary or scholarship. Your eligibility, and the amount you can expect to receive, will depend on the subject in which you train and your degree classification, or highest relevant academic qualification.

If you’re looking to train on a non-salaried postgraduate teacher training course but are not eligible to receive a bursary or a scholarship, you could be eligible for a tuition fee and maintenance loan.

The University currently subsidises travel to school placements, where the journey to the placement is longer than the normal journey from home to University. You will be expected to pay at least the first £5 (equivalent to the first 25 miles). For journeys over 25 miles per day, costs will be paid directly into your bank account.

We offer two ways to complete our PGCE with recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

School Direct training

The University works in close partnership with a wide range of schools, academies and teaching school alliances. You complete most of your school experience in one host School Direct establishment with a further 30 days in another school to ensure that you gain experience of different teaching environments. Academic theory will be delivered at the University campus.

School Direct institutions may offer

School Direct ‘training’ places to suit graduates who may be eligible for training bursary of up to £30,000.

School Direct ‘salaried’ places to suit graduates with at least three years’ work experience. You’ll be employed by the school and earn a salary as you train.

Provider-led training

The University selects the two schools in which you complete your school experience. We work in a range of schools, academies and teaching school alliances to ensure you are able to put theory into practice in high-quality, supportive settings. You may be eligible for a training bursary of up to £30,000 depending on your honours degree and the PGCE you select.

Entry requirements

All applicants are required on entry to their teacher-training programme to hold an appropriate UK degree or equivalent qualification.

You must hold GCSE grade 4 or C (or above) passes in English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent).

Any offers made are conditional on confirmation in writing from the University that any health requirements which may apply from time to time have been met.

In addition, all candidates must have undergone the relevant criminal record checks as shown by receipt of a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

You will also complete a criminal convictions self-disclosure. This is an interim measure and is retained until the University has receipt of the full Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS.

Professional Skills Tests

All students must pass the Professional Skills Tests in Literacy and Numeracy before beginning the course. These tests cover the core skills that teachers need to fulfil their professional role in schools, rather than the subject knowledge required for teaching. They do not replace the GCSE grade C (or equivalent) entry requirements in English language and mathematics.

The tests are set in the context of the professional role of a teacher and the questions use real data and information that teachers are likely to encounter. They are computerised and can be taken at approximately 150 test centres throughout the UK.